Shocking Survey: Nearly Half of UK Pharmacists Lack Career Support and Training

Survey Reveals Gaps in Pharmacist Career Development

A recent survey by The Pharmaceutical Journal has uncovered that nearly half of pharmacists in the UK are not accessing any form of career support or training. This finding comes from the 2025 salary and job satisfaction survey, highlighting a critical issue in the profession.

Key Statistics on Support Access

Out of 577 respondents, 48% (276 pharmacists) reported they had not accessed any of the following in the past year: a mentor, professional support, protected learning time, or structured training. Here's a breakdown of the support types accessed:

• Structured training: 34% (197 pharmacists)
• Protected learning time: 27% (153 pharmacists)
• Professional support: 15% (87 pharmacists)
• A mentor: 13% (74 pharmacists)

Sector-Specific Insights

The lack of support varies by sector:

• Pharmaceutical industry: 55% of respondents accessed no support, the highest rate.
• Hospital pharmacists: 52% without support.
• Community pharmacists: 49% without support.

Mentoring was least common among community pharmacists (7%), while those in academia were most likely to have a mentor (36%). Academics also led in accessing professional support (27%), followed by GP/primary care network pharmacists (26%).

Protected learning time was most accessed by GP/PCN pharmacists (55%), with hospital, academic, and industry sectors lagging at 20% each. Structured training was highest among academics (52%) and lowest in community pharmacy (30%).

Expert Opinions and Calls for Action

Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), emphasized the importance of support: "It’s essential that more pharmacists feel supported throughout their careers. Mentoring, expert advice, and protected learning time are key to helping colleagues develop and thrive. Without them, the profession risks missing out on talent." She urged pharmacists to use RPS resources and advocated for regular, funded protected learning time across the NHS.

Lynsey Cleland, chief standards officer at the General Pharmaceutical Council, highlighted the role of revalidation: "Every pharmacist and pharmacy technician needs to complete our revalidation requirements each year, including reflective accounts, peer discussions, and CPD records. This ensures they continually develop their practice." The council is improving communications to support career advancement.

Industry Initiatives

In February 2025, the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists (GHP) launched a campaign for NHS pharmacists to have a minimum of 10% of contracted hours protected for supporting professional activities. A statement noted the current lack of consistency in the UK regarding this time allocation.